My wife started a blog on the family and suggested that I start one too. My head is full of random bits of information so I thought it would be fun to share some of it. I will not pretend that I will be a dedicated blogger, I didn't even learn to use the internet until 2002 when an English 2010 research paper required me to find info that wasn't already crammed into my head. However, I do like to to type on the computer ever since I met my wife. In the early stages of our courtship, we would instant message all the time. I didn't have a cell phone so texting was out, (thank heaven) and she lived two counties away so the long distance charges would have killed me off on my meager college budget.
Anyway, I am an elementary school teacher. Being a male in this profession is a challenging situation to be in. I guess I can't complain too loudly since I chose to be in this situation, but think about it. Being a teacher puts a lot of stress on your life. I have noticed that every now and then you see a blurb in the news about a great teacher doing extraordinary things in his or her classroom. Usually the story is stuck somewhere in the middle of the newscast between a lost dog and the weather forecast. Then, when a teacher does something wrong--it is front page, breaking news. I groan every time I see something like this in the news. I am all about protecting our kids. I have two boys of my own, and frankly, if I found out a teacher didn't something to one of my kids, I don't think that man or woman would make it to a courtroom, at least not without a quick trip to the hospital. But when these stories break, it has made my job one notch harder. In college they warned us two guys in my teaching courses. We learned that we would be under the heaviest scrutiny just because we were male. Oddly, if the same kind of sentiment were extended to women, there would be an uprising of epic proportions. Personally I think our society could use some decent male role models. No, a professional athlete who does charity work doesn't count. I'm talking about real people, doing everyday jobs, teaching kids how to grow up and be a contributer to society instead of a burden.
Kids are the greatest untapped resource in the world today. It is beyond me how some parents can take no thought for their child's education. I have seen kids come to school that have never considered the possibilities that lie ahead of them in the future. I am one of the lucky few among teachers, I have had about a 98% attendance at parent teacher conferences during my first three years. Sadly, I know of many other teachers who haven't had better than half of parents show up.
My wife tells me that people don't like to read novels on blogs so I'm going to sign off for now. Let me know what you think. Remember, I'm a first time blogger. I'm still new at this.
I love what I do, and hope you do too
11 years ago
2 comments:
Hey Elder Lott,
I don't know if you know or remember me. This is Elder Wood. We served in the same mission. Anyway, my wife and your wife have been becoming friends by blogging.
I'm actually at the U right now studying to be a teacher. I was originally planning on teaching elementary ed, but I've since switch to secondary ed. Still, they need good male teachers. I'm looking forward to teaching. What grade do you teach?
I teach a fifth/sixth split class right now. It's a challenge teaching twice the curriculum in the same amount of time. And I don't get any extra pay for it either. I came home from Korea just a month and a half after 9-11, in Oct. 2001. I think I predate both of you, but it is always nice to meet up with fellow Korea RM's. Maybe you two can help me convince Jenn to go to Korea with me!
Post a Comment